My dad collapses not long after tasting the pizza from Rich. I dash to his side and slowly lower him to the floor. Once we ended up on the floor his eyes shut and I sobbed a little over him. Unfortunately I knew why he had fallen, and now I was going to leave him when he was at his lowest point. Hastily I dashed back up to my room and packed all my belongings. Clothes and paper flew in a rush around the room turning it into a hurricane zone. With my pack on my shoulder and my guitar case in my hand I walked back downstairs in time to see a pair of headlights swing into the living room. Taking a peek I knew it was my mom coming home late from work. In a hurry I wrote a quick note on a napkin and set dad in a chair facing the television set.

Getting out the back door I hunkered down in a nearby hedge and waited for ten o'clock when Rich told me he would whisk me away from my trouble.

✴  ⚛  ✴

"Tonight we shall liberate the gifted children from Caiman's oppressive clutches. When they arrive we will provide each and every person with tender love and care, shelter, and resources so they can continue blessing the world with their creativity. Our ultimate goal is to one day return, to prove the beliefs that state that creativity is merely a nuisance to pure intellectual thoughts and superior mental strength. To them we are anomalies that require extrication from the population. Unknowingly every citizen in Caiman betrays the basic understanding of unity, our mission is clear: to bring back our harmonious society and eliminate the leaders full of hatred. Together we can overcome the stereotypes against us and recreate the societal normal where intellect and creation are blended, and everyone has a choice to pursue all outlets of knowledge." The crowd jeered and changed my name. All of them in one way or another been wronged by Caiman and has willingly joined to become the change.

On the return to my office I caught sight of Richard waiting for my arrival. His body language displayed a fiery anger. I decided to go in with a bit of a chipper mood in an attempt to ease his rage.

"Richard! What's on your mind son?"

His voice growled with malice as he responded. "You knew I liked her. You knew I wanted her safe. So my mind is asking you why are you doing this to me?! Why are you tempting her to this? To you." His eyes gleamed with a murderous glare alarming me to a fact he could attack me here and now.

"Remember your place Richard." I shot back. "You know exactly the stakes we have in this and why we're working on this together. As per that mission we agreed to save everyone who showed creative outlets, and it just happens that Kallie does. You knew the stakes and the risks for aiding this mission, otherwise I have to ponder why you are still here." Richard's reaction was one filled with malice and untempt rage.

With a low growl to his voice Richard responded. "I enlisted to unite our people, not to separate and therefore destroy our lives." He shakes his head as if wondering if what he is about to say next is worth the punishment. "After tonight I am done. This is not what I signed up for. Tell Kal that she cannot come with us and return her to her life."

"If I do then I cannot claim to save everyone and that is not good enough for our morale." Richard just does not get it. He does not see the whole picture. Each piece operates as a unit and when faulty hardware is detected it should be removed. Denying somebody their innate right to their freedom of expression is like revoking their vision. Telling them they are inferior to the next person in line. I try appealing to his remaining reason. "Now Richard, I believe that your contribution to this organization is so valuable and your work has been greatly accepted."

"No. Let me tell you something about 'my contribution' Thomas: is it just to enlist unwilling and ignorant subjects to become your pawns? Only meant to work your will? Push your ideals? I want out. Your imaginative view is just that; a dream of a broken man who is providing his disciples with ideas of false salvation."

In the back of my mind I expected this to happen. Richard being a lowly recruit himself just has a limited perspective on how much oppression their is by our corrupt government. He never will. "If you want out, will you grant me the pleasure of walking you out?" Richard nods in assent and quietly moves towards the doorway. We ambled all the way to the loading deck and I removed my prized pistol out of its holster. As I level the barrel to the back of his head.

"Do not take this personally. Now you're only a liability."